Conner Prairie, an interactive history museum located in Fishers, Indiana, transports guests through time to 1836 Prairietown, 1816 Lenape Indian Camp and the 1859 Balloon Voyage.
As one of the largest attractions in the region and one of the most visited outdoor museums in the country, Conner Prairie has a rich history in Indiana and more than 1,000 acres of grounds for children, adults and families of all ages to explore.
But it’s at the Ag Adventures Playground at Estridge Family Park where guests of all abilities can really shine this summer.
Unique Park Experience
The Ag Adventures Playground was created with the goal of enabling everyone to be active and fully experience the equipment and the outdoors together — regardless of their individual abilities.
All children with physical and developmental disabilities are able to participate and play at this playground, which was created specifically to give all children an opportunity to participate in the fun.
With sensory activities, slides — including a large, accessible wide slide — climbing walls, bridges, a circular web swing, and ramp access to all areas of the playground, the Ag Adventures Playground has a wide variety of play options for any child. The playground sits right next to the 1859 Balloon Voyage exhibit, so the tethered hot air balloon is always within sight.
Conner Prairie has long held a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and has stayed true to its mission of providing engaging and individualized experiences for everyone. The history museum has a passion for building play environments designed with people of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities in mind.
The inclusive playground is in partnership with Unlimited Play, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that helps to plan, design and build universally accessible playgrounds that allow all children the chance to play.
Agricultural History
In addition to the accessible features throughout, the Ag Adventures Playground shows off Conner Prairie’s deep roots and legacy in agriculture, while connecting guests to other agricultural experiences and exhibits on the grounds.
The playground is designed with several farm-familiar features to bring the playground to life, including a large tractor, barn silos, corn stalks, a cow-shaped climbing wall and more. It also features educational panels that highlight stories from Conner Prairie Farms, once owned by Conner Prairie founder Eli Lilly.
What many don’t know is that Eli Lilly, back in the 1930s, was an avid farmer himself. On the same land as Conner Prairie remains today, Lilly created a show-farm where he bred and cared for his prize-winning livestock. And on the site of Estridge Park, Lilly built a state-of-the-art facility to house his champion animals and blue ribbon livestock, including his Percheron horses.
Join the Fun
With support from the Estridge Family Foundation – a fund of the Hamilton County Community Foundation – and the Conner Prairie Alliance, the Ag Adventures Playground at Estridge Family Park officially debuted in July 2020, and has been a staple for children no matter their abilities to play and grow.
Visiting the park is free with Conner Prairie admission or membership.
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